Mick The Miller is
the most famous greyhound of all time. He was born in 1926 in the village of Killeigh, County
Offaly, Ireland at Millbrook House, the home of parish curate, Fr
Martin Brophy. When he was born Mick was the runt of the litter but
Michael Greene, who worked for Fr Brophy, singled the
little pup out as a future champion and insisted that he be
allowed to rear him. With constant attention and regular exercise
Mick The Miller developed into a racing machine. His first
forays were on local coursing fields where he had some success
but he showed his real talent on the track where he won 15 of
his first 20
races.

In 1929 Fr Brophy decided to try Mick in English Greyhound
Derby at White City, London. On his first trial-run, Mick equalled the track record. Then, in his first heat, he broke the world
record, becoming the first greyhound ever to run 525 yards in
under 30 seconds. Fr Brophy was inundated with offers and
sold him to Albert Williams. Mick went on to win the 1929 Derby. Within a year he had
changed hands again to Arundel H Kempton and won the Derby for a
second time.

Over the course of his English career he won 36 of
his 48 races, including the Derby (twice), the St Leger, the
Cesarewitch, and the Welsh
Derby. He set six new world records and two new track records.
He was the first greyhound to win 19 races
in a row. Several of his
records went unbroken for over 40 years. He won, in total, almost
£10,000 in prizemoney. But he also became the poster-dog for
greyhound racing. He was a celebrity on a par with any sports
person, muscisian or moviestar. The more famous he became, the
more he attracted people to greyhound racing. Thousands
thronged to watch him, providing a huge boost to the sport. It
is said that he actually saved the sport of greyhound racing.

After retirement to stud his popularity continued. He starred in the film Wild Boy (based
on his life-story) in 1934 which was shown in cinemas all
across the UK. He was in huge demand on the celebrity circuit,
opening shops, attending big races and even rubbing shoulder
with royalty (such as the King and Queen) at charity events. When he died in 1939 aged 12, his owner donated his body to the
British Natural History Museum in London. And Mick`s fame has continued ever since. In 1981 he was inducted into the American Hall of
Fame
(International
Section). In 1990 English author Michael Tanner published a
book, Mick The Miller - Sporting Icon Of the Depression. And in
2011 the people of Killeigh erected a monument on the village
green to honour their most famous son. Mick The Miller is
not just the most famous greyhound of all time but one of the
most loved dogs that has ever lived.

For details on the proposed redevelopment of
Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium
click here

New Book Launch

The Mick The Miller monument was recently included in
a new book IMMORTALS
OF BRITISH SPORT - A Celebration Of Britain`s Sporting History
Through Sculpture by Ian Hewitt and Sampson Lloyd. This is
a fantastic read for anyone interested in art or sport.
Mick is featured on pages 90/91. The online version of the
book can be viewed at
Immortals Of British Sport.

If anyone has any questions about Mick The Miller or if you have
any information, memorablia or stories that you would like to
offer, we would be delighted to hear from you. You may
contact us athistory@mickthemiller.com